PARIS — The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has signed a contract with Arquus and Nexter, a company of KNDS, for the development of the Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement (VBAE) on behalf of the OCCAR VBAE Participating States Belgium and France.
The VBAE is a new armored 4×4 vehicle that is expected to be similar to the US Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and is intended to replace the French Army’s Véhicule Blindé Léger (VBL).
The VBAE program was launched in response to the need of the French and Belgian armies for a modern, innovative light armored vehicle that is fully integrated into the battlefield information system and offers a high added value in terms of reconnaissance and combat.
The VBAE program covers the preparation and definition phase, which anticipates further development, production, and in-service support (ISS) contracts shortly. The total value of this first phase is EUR15 million ($16.2 million) and will last approximately two years.
The VBAE program takes advantage of studies performed in the frame of European projects, such as EDIDP FAMOUS and EDF FAMOUS II, in which Arquus and Nexter were the beneficiaries. The Belgian company John Cockerill Defense (JCD), also a member of the FAMOUS consortium, will be a major sub-contractor.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet grew in importance as a research tool, he helped design the company's Forecast Intelligence Center and currently coordinates the EMarket Alert newsletters for clients. Richard also manages social media efforts, including two new blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, covering defense systems and international issues, and Flight Plan, which focuses on commercial aviation and space systems. For over 30 years, Richard has authored the Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International) services. The two books provide detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database that tracks all the contractors involved in the programs covered in the FI library. More recently he was appointed Manager, Information Services Group (ISG), a new unit that encompasses developing outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
